Dave Avran, founder of Malaysians Against Rape, Assault & Snatch Theft (Marah), said the budget would help improve monitoring systems to combat and overcome syndicate-based crimes, group crimes and armed crimes, besides monitoring drug traffickers.
“The government has also addressed the need to install closed-circuit television cameras in lock-ups to address the issue of detainees dying in custody, as well as to renovate dilapidated police stations, build more stations and generally improve logistics and transport,” he told FMT.
He said it showed that the government was serious in addressing issues related to reducing crime and upgrading security in Malaysia.
“The police and the armed forces now have the funds to expand and enhance the monitoring of security in Sabah, especially in the east coast of the state and the 1,600km border area of EssCom where guns, humans, drugs, liquor, cigarettes and various other contrabands are smuggled in,” he said,.
He was referring to the Eastern Sabah Security Command, a security area on the east coast of Sabah, which was established following the deadly incursion by armed militants from southern Philippines in Lahad Datu near Tawau in 2013.
“We can now also coordinate intelligence with other security agencies, including the armed forces, to ensure an effective fight against the growing threat of terrorism,” Avran said.
In his tabling of the budget at the Dewan Rakyat today, Prime Minister Najib Razak said the government wanted to increase safety at the borders and enhance public order with an allocation of RM14 billion for the armed forces, almost RM9 billion for the police and more than RM900 million to the Malaysian maritime enforcement agency.
He said of these, RM720 million would be channelled to build 11 police headquarters and six police stations, as well as purchase firearm fittings and operations vehicles.
The police would also be provided RM170 million to upgrade ICT equipment, including the 1PDRMnet system, and a further RM100 million to upgrade its communications systems.
“A sum of RM250 million is allocated to EssCom to enhance security controls at Sabah and Sarawak borders, including RM50 million for coastal surveillance radar,” Najib said.
The prime minister also announced an allocation of RM50 million for upgrading the capability of firearm assets of special taskforces to combat anti-terrorism activities.
“In addition, in appreciation of the role that the People’s Volunteer Corps (Rela) plays in assisting the people, the government will provide the highest allocation of almost RM250 million for necessary equipment, including uniforms,” he said.